Inside Bella & Tortie – Brisbane’s cult bakery open just two mornings a week, or until sold out

Welcome to the tiny suburban cafe with such a cult following people drive from all over Brisbane to savour its delights. Get in quick but, it’s sure to sellout.

Tucked away behind Stafford Road, Bella & Tortie is a local secret you’d never find if you weren’t looking for it.

Known for its rotating menu of high-end pies, pastries and desserts, this tiny cult bakery is only open Fridays and Saturdays from 7.30am -midday or until sold out - and it always sells out.

Having heard whisperings of this bakery that people were willing to drive from every corner of Brisbane for, I knew I had to venture out to see it for myself.

So I drove out to Stafford with a clear mission - locate and taste.

After missing the driveway-sized lane I was supposed to turn into, I took the next left I could find and ended up in a random carpark on the edge of Stafford Road.

Suzi Unwin, owner of Bella & Tortie, a cult suburban bakery that sells out in just hours. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Turns out that was a totally legal place to park, so I hopped out of the car and headed back down the road to track down this bakery.

Slightly behind schedule, I finally made it by 7.45am – 15 minutes after opening – and the line was already out the door.

I waited my turn, which I will admit didn’t take too long, and ordered three things: a mushroom, leek and parmesan quiche, a slice of chocolate basque cheesecake, and a chocolate, yuzu and black sesame tart.

The lemon meringue canele at Bella & Tortie. Picture: Instagram.

The chicken pot pie. Picture: Instagram.

For my extremely decadent breakfast, I paid $45.

I took a seat at one of the picnic-style tables and ordered myself a coffee from Papa’s Corner, one of the street-front shops on Stafford Road.

Bella & Tortie has partnered with the cafe so customers can enjoy a coffee with their treats by ordering from QR codes left on tables.

People who have travelled from across Brisbane queue outside Bella & Tortie. Picture: John Gass

Get in quick because Bella & Tortie sells out in just hours most Fridays and Saturdays. Picture: John Gass

A few minutes later, I was sipping on an iced oat latte and unboxing my precious pastries.

The first thing I tried was the quiche, and it set the bar high.

It was creamy, savoury, and delicious – I gave it an 8.5 out of 10.

Next up was the chocolate basque cheesecake.

This simple dessert was rich and decadent – perhaps not the perfect breakfast food but delightful nonetheless – so it got an 8 out of 10.

The third and final treat was my favourite.

Inside Bella & Tortie. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The bakery is a must for foodies. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Chocolatey and sweet, but also vibrant and zingy, the tart was unreal – I gave it a 9 out of 10.

The lovely owner of the bakery, Suzi, also gave me a browned butter chocolate chip cookie to try.

As a cookie lover, I feel qualified to say this one was especially good – sweet, salty, chocolatey, it had it all.

Bella & Tortie is easily one of the best bakeries I’ve been to and I can wholeheartedly recommend making the trip.

The raspberry and vanilla mille feuille at Bella & Tortie. Picture: Instagram.

Bella & Tortie at Stafford. Picture: Steve Pohlner

I’d definitely encourage grabbing some goodies takeaway and heading to a sunny spot in a nearby park for a picnic breakfast over sitting at the tables though.

The seating area is on the edge of a carpark and, between construction noise and the glare coming off parked cars, I think you’d be better off enjoying your treats somewhere else.

• Some of the best bakeries, cafes and restaurants in Brisbane seem to be the “if you know, you know” kind, so The Courier-Mail is on a mission to track some of them down and let you know which ones are worth the journey. Let’s see where we head to next.